Netanyahu Pledges West Bank Expansion Following Deadly Confrontation

The trouble began when dozens of settlers entered the outskirts of Tell, near Nablus, claiming to be hikers. Local leader Essam Saifi reported that the group attempted to force their way into homes, leading to a direct confrontation with village residents. During the skirmish, a Palestinian man seized a weapon from a member of the Havat Gilad security squad, killing him and an IDF major. Israeli forces returned fire, resulting in the deaths of the shooter and three other Palestinians.

In the aftermath, the Israeli government moved to tighten control over the territory. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to demolish the shooter's family home, revoke work permits for residents in affected areas, and expedite the legalization of unauthorized farm outposts. Far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir pushed for even harsher measures, with Smotrich calling for the mass evacuation of Palestinians and Ben-Gvir demanding the total destruction of the village.

While Shin Bet chief David Zini appealed for calm, settler violence spread to neighboring towns, including Madama, Urif, and Burin. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that since October 2023, at least 1,111 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, while Israeli officials report 47 deaths among their own citizens. Human rights organizations, including B’Tselem, have issued urgent warnings, characterizing the current surge in settler militias and state-backed military operations as a systematic campaign to displace the Palestinian population.